An Extraordinary Case
«Your Honour, I withdraw my financial claim against the defendant,» Thomas said quietly. A murmur of confusion rippled through the courtroom.
The judge, accustomed to surprises, raised an eyebrow.
«Mr. Collins, you understand this decision wont affect the verdict but will forfeit your right to compensation?»
«I do.»
Katherinethough young, her colleagues addressed her formally as Miss Howardcontinued typing without emotion. Five years in this job had hardened her to human folly. Her role was to record, impassively, the endless parade of weakness. She saw herself as a train conductor, hauling carriages filled with other peoples tragedies.
The case against Lucy W. was the kind the press adored. Another con artist, deftly swindling «suitors» on dating sites. Four men, none of whom had met her, sent large sums to her account. None made it to a first date. One heard her family had been in an accident, another that her ex-husband was taking everythingeven the cutlery. A third was spun a tale about a sick child…
«Whats new?» Katherine thought, compiling the case files. Four grown men, seemingly successful, had played the knight in shining armour, believing money could rescue beauty from distress and win true love. In reality, theyd been messaging a married mother of three.
Now they were all here: the defendant, the victims. Three were tense with anger, demanding repayment, their words sharp with bitterness. They werent wrong. The law was on their side. Katherine mechanically noted the familiar phrases: «emotional distress,» «deceptive conduct,» «fraudulent intent.»
Thomas Collins sat apart. There was no aggression in his posture, no self-pity. When he renounced his claim, the room fell silent. One of the men spun around.
«Are you mad? She played you like the rest of us! Your money probably bought her husband a new phone!»
Thomas regarded him with quiet sadness.
«I understand. But she has three children. Let the money go to them. I dont need it back.»
Katherine looked up, startled. Generosity was rare in these walls. She studied his handsa welders hands, resting calmly on his kneesand his eyes, weary but free of malice. In a world where everyone fought for scraps, he had simply let go.
After the hearing, a victims solicitor shook his head.
«That fourth ones a proper romantic. Naïve as a child.»
Katherine, usually silent, countered,
«Thats not naivety. Thats strength. The kind no money can buy.»
The room fell quiet. Even she was surprised by her words.
In later hearings, she caught herself watching himhow he listened without interrupting, how his gaze sometimes lingered on the window, as if searching the grey sky for answers no one else would ask.
On the final day, as the verdict was read, he lingered in the corridor, disoriented. Katherine stepped out.
«Which way are you headed?» she asked, her tone clipped.
«Nowhere in particular,» he smiled. «Just got turned around.»
«Exits that way,» she nodded.
He turned to leave, but she called after him.
«Thomas?»
He looked back, surprised.
«You were right,» she said, her voice softening. «About the children. It was decent of you.»
He studied her.
«You know, Katherine» He hesitated, unsure how to address her.
«Kate,» she offered.
«Kate. Kindness is rare, especially here. Thank you for noticing.»
He left. She watched him go, feeling her long-dormant pulse quicken.
Then came the rain. A downpour erupted just as Thomas stepped outside. He paused under the awning, debating whether to sprint for the bus stop.
A voice spoke behind him.
«Weve a government-issue umbrella here. Meant for documents, but I suppose it could shelter a decent man.»
It was Kate, holding a black umbrella. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if she couldnt believe her own boldness.
«I wont keep you,» he said.
«My shifts over. Im walking to the park. If youre headed that way…»
They walked side by side, careful not to touch. The silence was comfortable.
«You always defend victims like that?» he finally asked.
«Never,» she admitted. «Youre the first who acted illogically. It stunned me.»
«Probably daft of me.»
«Its rare. And rarity has value.»
At the park, the rain eased to a drizzle.
«Fancy a walk?» he asked. «Unless youre in a hurry.»
Kate hesitated only a second. «Protocol breached, Miss Howard,» she thought, but nodded. Thomas gazed at the clearing sky. She waited, giving him space.
«First time this has happened,» he said, clearly not referring to the scam. «Most people think Im odd.»
«Because you didnt turn bitter,» she murmured. «These days, thats eccentricity.»
He met her eyes.
«And you? Do you think Im odd?»
«I think youre real,» she said. «Thats priceless. In my line of work, reals in short supply.»
After a pause, he asked,
«Want to know why? Why I fell for it?»
She nodded.
He sighed, his gaze distant. Then he spokecalmly, as if recounting someone elses story.
«It started and ended at school. Her name was Lily. What I felt for her wasnt just love. She was everythinglight, beauty, the unattainable. We were *that* couple. Carried her books, danced at prom I was certain it was forever. So sure, I convinced everyone else too. We were the golden pair.»
«Then she left. Prestigious uni in London, married a coursemate. Sent me a postcardjust three words: *Sorry. This is better.*»
«Everything shattered. I didnt drink, didnt rage. Just went numb. Trained as a weldergood job for hiding behind a mask, drowning thoughts in noise. Built a fortress around my heart, but inside, that daft boy still believed in one love for life.»
«When I saw that photo onlinethe con artistsomething woke. She looked like Lily. But it was the caption: *Still believe in love.* Pathetic, right? I messaged her. And she replied with words Id waited years to hearforever love, loyalty, searching for something real. It was the key to my fortress. I wanted the fairy tale so badly, I ignored the red flags. I didnt fall for *her* lies. I fell for the echo of my own dream. I needed proof that love like mine wasnt foolish. That it could exist.»
«Heres the odd bit: the trial freed me. At first, I was humiliated. But seeing herjust a scared, pitiful womanthe illusion vanished. Lilys ghost finally let go. The money? A fee for exorcism. Steep, but effective.»
He fell silent, awaiting judgment. Kate placed her hand over his. Hers was warm, steady.
«Thank you for telling me,» she said softly. «Now I understand. Youre not odd. Youre true to yourself.»
***
Kates colleagues called her «Miss Howard» for a reason. Stern, reserved, devoted to workno personal life to speak of. When they spotted her with Thomaswaiting for her after hoursthe whispers began.
Judge Margaret Hayes, fifty, with a stare that could halt criminals mid-step, broke the silence first.
«Well, Miss Howards full of surprises. Thought she had a filing cabinet for a heart. Now shes courting the romantic victim?»
Her colleague, Judge Ian Reeves, smirked.
«With that naivety, hes more like a defendant for chronic gullibility. Miss Howards reforming him, is she?»
«Enough, Ian,» Margaret chided, though her lips twitched. «Mans a hard worker. And what he did that took principles. Rare in our line.»
In the break room, solicitor Gregory shrugged.
«Never expected courtroom romance. More like a soap opera.»
Kate hadnt softened professionallybut she smiled at her phone now. Wore a silver chain she hadnt before.
The office split: cynics muttered about «fools and their saviours,» joking, «Next, well be witnesses at their wedding!» The younger women sighed: «Its like a novel! All stern and unapproachable, and hes all wounded but kind. And handsome!»
Accounts manager Valerie scowled.
«Envys ugly. Whens the last time any of you met a man with a good heart? Let her be happy.»
One morning, Ian couldnt resist.
«Miss Howard, hows your noble rescuer? Filed any more generous lawsuits?»
The room held its breath.
Kate sipped her tea, set it down, and fixed him with a serene stare.
«Ian, if youre so interested in closed-case victims, I can grant full archive access. Fancy revisiting case #3-452/18? Or #2-187/19? Some *very* colourful characters there.»
Silence. Ian coughed. He knew: Kate had processed his cases too.
«No, no! Just friendly concern.»
«How touching,» she said sweetly. «But my private life isnt under review. Yet.»
The teasing stopped. Replaced by wary respect. The tipping point came when Thomas dropped her off in his modest but tidy car, adjusting her coat collara gesture so tender, even the sceptics relented.
That day, Margaret pulled her aside.
«Kate hes good. I can tell. Hold onto him.»
It was the only «ruling» Miss Howard accepted without protest. She simply nodded.
«Thank you, Margaret. I know.»
The gossip faded. Theyd grasped the truth: their unflappable secretary, keeper of order and records, had passed her own sentence*»Pardoned. To love. To be happy.»* And it was final.
